Filling unit for counter-pressure filling machines

ABSTRACT

An electrical control probe is provided longitudinally movable in a passage of filler valve means and the probe can be retracted and introduced with respect to a container engaged with a counter-pressure filling unit. A proximity switch, loading gas valve, liquid valve and magnetic control valve are affected by probe movement for actuation and deactuation respectively during liquid filling into the container. A sleeve around the probe includes passage means communicating for liquid filling, loading gas supply and exhaust with respect to the container. A control rod engageable with a valve seat collar determines valve opening and closing according to probe position. An electrical plug card and contact strip interconnect electrical and electronic control units for the filling operation.

United States Patent 1 91 Uth et al. Mar. 26, 1974 FILLING UNIT FOR COUNTER-PRESSURE 3,357,461 12/1967 Friendship 141/198 x IL G CH 3,443,608 5/1969 Copping et al. 141/198 X [75] Inventors: Gerhard Uth; Rudolf Riedel; Klaus FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Kaiser, all of Bad Kreuznach, 1,203,631 10/1965 Germany 141/148 Germany Assignee: Seitz-Werke G.m.b.l-l., Bad

Kreuznack, Germany Filed: Dec. 16, 1968 Appl. No.: 783,834

so as o s2 e2 9 6 m 11: as

nntlnl Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Walter Becker 5 7 ABSTRACT An electrical control probe is provided longitudinally movable in a passage of filler valve means and the probe can be retracted and introduced with respect to a container engaged with a counter-pressure filling unit. A proximity switch, loading gas valve, liquid valve and magnetic control valve are affected by probe movement for actuation and deactuation respectively during liquid filling into the container. A sleeve around the probe includes passage means communicating for liquid filling, loading gas supply and exhaust with respect to the container. A control rod engageable with a valve seat collar determines valve opening and closing according to probe position. An electrical plug card and contact strip interconnect electrical and electronic control units for the filling operation.

16 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEOHARZB @924 3,799,219

SHEET 1 OF 6 PATENTEDHAREB 1914 3,799,219

SHEEI 3 BF 6 minimums 1914 3799219 SHEET 5 0F 6 PMENTEDmzs 1914 3.799.219

SHEET 6 0F 6 FIG? IIO

FILLING UNIT FOR COUNTER-PRESSURE FILLING MACHINES The present invention relates to a filling unit for one or more chamber counter-pressure filling machines.

With filling units of one or more chamber counterpressure filling machines it is known to actuate the required gas and liquid control valves in an electromagnetic manner in order in this way to increase the filling delivery. In this connection it has been suggested to stationarily arrange the magnets which are associated with the gas and liquid control valves of all filling units in front of or above the filling containers. According to a similar arrangement, the concentric design of the tensioning gas and liquid control valves requires only one effective magnet located outside the filling container. The control of the valve magnet is in both instances effected by the magnetic field when the liquid or gas passes through the filling elements.

There is furthermore known an electromagnetically operable filling element described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,764,333 in which the magnet concentrically surrounds the liquid valve and is energized by the contact established by the pressed-on bottle;

It is an object of the present invention to provide a filling unit for one or more chamber counter-pressure filling machines, which will considerably increase the filling angle which with rotary machines extends from the feeding turnstile to the discharging turnstile.

It is another object of this invention to provide a filling unit for one or more chamber counter-pressure filling machines which will make it possible to press the vessels, such as bottles, against the filling unit already at the feeding turnstile and to withdraw the vessels from the filling units only within the region of the discharge turnstile.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a filling unit of the type set forth in the preceding paragraphs, which will operate without any type of bottle holders.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following specification in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a filling unit for one-chamber counter-pressure bottle filling machines.

FIG. 2 shows the liquid valve of the filling unit of FIG. 1 with a probe in the lower portion thereof.

, FIG. 3 shows a detail of the liquid valve along the section Illlll of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 represents a longitudinal section through a filling unit for multi-chamber counter pressure filling machines.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section through a relieving and evacuating device for the filling unit according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section through a relieving evacuating inert gas filling device for the filling unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 illustrates a section taken along the line is introduced by means of a lifting device into the pressed-on vessel the probe is removed therefrom prior to the withdrawal of the filled vessel. The probe affected by the filled in liquid expediently controls the closing operation of the gas and liquid valves, whereas the opening process is initiated by electric control means which are separated from the probe and are preferably effective during the period during which the vessel is pressed on for the filling process.

The suggested method according to the present invention includes provision to utilize a probe as control means and to introduce the same at the start or during the filling operation into the pressed-on vessel and to withdraw said probe after the control function prior to withdrawing the filled vessel. This method brings about a material increase in the filling angle. With such a rotary machine the filling angle extends from the feeding tunstile to the discharge turnstile 'and over the range of which the entire filling process is effected. Inthis way it is also possible already at the feeding turnstile to press the vessels against the filling units and to withdraw the vessels from the filling units only within the region of the discharge turnstile. In view of the immediate pressing of the vessels against the filling units and in view of the immediate centering of the vessels, any kind of bottle holders will be superfluous.

It is known to design a return gas pipe so that it can be adjusted as to height, and it is also known to introduce such pipe during the rotation of the filler into the pressed-on vessel and subsequently to' withdraw the pipe therefrom as soon as the desired liquid level has been reached. This device, however, concerns mechanically controllable filling elements with return gas pipes extending into the vessels. The present invention deliberately avoids equipping the above-mentioned filling units with such return gas pipes in order to prevent the filled-in liquid from rising in the return gas path to the level of the liquid in the filling container.

For purposes of obtaining an automatic control of the above-mentioned filling elements, the present invention provides that during the period during which the vessel is pressed against the filling units, effective control means will initiate the lowering movement of the probe into the pressed-on vessel or will keep the probe in readiness for the lowering movement into the pressed-on vessel. Such control means advantageously also includes a relief valve. In conformity with the invention, the probe is adapted to be actuated by means of a pneumatic lifting device which is controlled by a magnetic valve. The magnetic valve is energized by the electric control means which are effective during the pressing-on operation of the vessel, or the magnet is energized by electric control means which are affected by the opening movement of the liquid valve or after the effected opening. Also the tensioning gas valve is, in

conformity with the present invention, operable by a pneumatic lifting device equipped with a magnetic valve. Expediently, the lifting device closes also the liquid valve against the thrust of a spring, and the magnetic valve pertaining thereto is likewise energized by the control means which become effective when the vessel is pressed against the filling unit.

Referringnow to the drawings in detail, the drawings show only those parts of a counter pressure bottle filling machine of the rotary type which are necessary for the understanding of the invention. Thus, the filling.

container 10 and the bottle table 111 are shown. At the circumference of the table 11 there are provided, as is customary, a plurality of lifting members 13 which are connected to compressed air conduits 12, said lifting members 13 have associated therewith a cylinder mantle 14 which is displaceable as to its height and the plane surface of which serves for receiving the bottles. The cylinder mantle 14 has provided thereon a roller 16 which engages a cam 15. The cylinder mantle 14 is equipped with an extension 17 having oppositely arranged thereto a control member 18 with a conductor a. The control member 18 is preferably in the form of an approaching control or proximity switch (Naeherungsschalter). The switch 18 is connected to a lever 20 which is under the influence of a spring 119 and is pivotally connected to the bottle table 11. A cam path 21 provided on a machine frame (not shown) controls the lever 20. The cam path 21 is so designed that during a portion of the rotation of the filler it will pivot the lever 20 with the switch 18 out of the contact posi tion with the extension 17.

Opposite each lifting member 13 there is provided a filling unit connected to the filling container 10. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, the filling unit is designated with the reference numeral 23, whereas in the embodiment of FIG. 4 it is designated with the reference numeral 24. Both units have a housing of substantially the same type with one gas and liquid inlet 25 and 26 each. With these openings communicate corresponding outlets of the filling container 10. The connection 25 on the gas side is expediently designed in the manner of a plug connection engaging the container outlet by means of a tubular extension of the housing which extension is adapted to be sealed. The connection 26 on the liquid side may be designed in the form of a screw connection. This type of connection merely requires two screws and assures a fast removal of the filling units 23 and 24 from the filling container 10. Both filling units are furthermore provided with a tulipshaped centering device 27 which is fixedly arranged on the bottom side of the housing. This device 27 comprises a press-on seal 28 and surrounds a funnel-shaped liquid discharge 29 which leads downwardly from a chamber 30 into which leads the liquid inlet 26. Adjacent to the top of the chamber 30 there are guiding means 31 for the housing.

With both filling units 23 and 24 the chamber 30 surrounds the valve body 32 of a liquid valve which is in conformity with the incline of the liquid discharge 29. The valve body 32 has a shank 33 inserted in the guiding means 31. A bore 34 which serves as tensioning and return gas passage extends through both said shank 33 and said valve body 32. The said passage 34 ends within the region of the seal 28. When a filled bottle is in pressed-on condition, the said passage 34 communicates only with the gas chamber above the liquid level. The valve body 32 is as customary provided with a seal 35, and as is-shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is additionally provided with a ring 36 which has a plurality of twisted surfaces 37 for radially deviating the liquid flow. The ring 36 is exchangeably inserted into the guiding means 31 and loosely surrounds the valve body 32.

The shank end 33 which pertains to the liquid valve 29, 32 and extends into the region of the gas inlet 25 is with both filling units 23 and 24 equipped with a potshaped valve seat 38 for a gas valve. lts valve body 39 is inserted into the valve seat 38 with an annular gap 40. The valve seat 38 of the gas valve 39 is expediently screwed onto the shaft end 33 and has a seal 41 which is located on the opening of the bore 34 and is situated opposite the body 39. The bottom side of the valve seat 38 has a collar 42 which together with an oppositely located extension 43 of the housing guiding means 31 forms the counter bearings for a spring 44 acting upon the filling valve 29, 32. The upper end 45 of the valve seat 38 is likewise collar-shaped and engages a control rod 47. Opposite said valve seat 38 there is provided an additional electric control member 46 which is located in the housing of the units and is likewise in the form of an approaching control or proximity switch. The free end of rod 47 is guided in a bushing 48 and provided with a flange 49. Between the bottom side of the flange and the oppositely located guiding bushing 48 there is provided a spring 50 which is adapted by means of a rod 47 and the valve seat 38 to control the valve body 32 of the liquid valve 29, 32. A collar 51 provided on the rod 47 and engaging the bushing 48 limits the extent to which the valve 29, 32 can open. The flange 49 itself is acted upon by a piston 52 of a pneumatic lifting member 53 which is connected to the air conduit 1 and is controlled by a magnetic valve 54 with the conductor With the filling unit 23, the valve body 39 is mounted in a further guiding means 55 forming an extension of the guiding means 31 for the-housing and has its upper end provided with an annular seal 56. The valve body 39 is engaged by a fork-shaped arm of a lever 57 which is mounted at the point 58 of the housing. The lever 57 is operatively connected to the piston rod 59 of a pneumatic lifting member 60 which is connected to the air conduit 11. The lifting member 60 is preceded by a magnetic valve withthe conductor d. With the filling element 23, the cylinder 60 of the lifting member 59, 60 is located in a fork-shaped-support member or bearing 63 which by means of a spring 62 is supported by a bracket 61 of the housing. The bearing 63 extends through guiding means 64 of the bracket 61 and carries a control pin 67 on an arm 66 forming an abutment. The free pin end extends into an extension 68 of the housing which extension is provided with a relief passage 69 leading to a liquid outlet 69'. That end of the pin 67 which is located opposite said outlet has a longitudinal groove 70 and has annular seals 71 arranged at both sides of the groove. In one end position of the pin 67, preferably when the arm 66 engages the guiding means 64, the passage outlet 69 is closed, and in another end position of pin 67, the passage outlet 69 is opened to exit by the groove 70 leaving the confining walls of the housing.

A feeling member 75 in the form of a probe which is provided with a conductor e extends into the guiding means 31 and 55 of the housing. The said probe extends through the valve body 39 and the bore 34 of the shank 30 pertaining to the liquid valve 29, 32 and is guided with a set-off end ending in a point in a bearing 77 of the valve body 32 (FIGS. 2 and 3)'which is surrounded by a plurality of bores 76. The return gas path 34 as well as the bore extending through the valve body 39 are sealed against the atmosphere by a seal 56 which surrounds the probe 75. With the feeling member 75 the tip 88 is electrically conductive and is by means of an insulating member 89 insulated from the remaining rod-shaped portion and from the bearing 77. Connected to the two-pole conductor e is one pole of the probe tip 88 while the shank 75 of the probe is connected to the other pole. At that end which is opposite the tip 88 of the probe, a lever 79 pivotally arranged at the pivot point 78 of the unit housing engages the probe 75 by means of a fork-shaped arm. The other end of the lever is connected to the piston rod 80 of a further pneumatic lifting device 80, 81 which is connected to the line III. The cylinder 81 of said pneumatic lifting device rests on an arm 82 of the bracket 61. Also this liftingdevice 80, 81 has associated therewith a magnetic valve 83 with a conductorf.

The conductors b, c, d, e and f of the abovementioned electric switch and control means lead to a control box 85 connected to the housing of the filling unit. Said control box 85 is through the lines g connected to a contact strip 86 which is assocaited with the filling unit and is expediently connected to the fill ing container 10. The conductor a of the control means 18 is likewise connected to the contact strip 86. All contact strips 86 associated with all filling units 23 are connected to a common network portion on the machine column (not shown in the drawings). This network portion comprises primarily transformers for the control voltage of the magnetic valves 54, 65, 83 and also comprises switch means 18, 16 as well for the measuring voltage of the probe 75. Furthermore, there is provided a potentiometer common to all filling elements 23 in order to set the probe voltage in conformity with the conductivity of the respective liquid to be filled in. The supply of current to the network portion is effected by means of collectors or in an inductive manner.

The transistors and other electric or electronic control means associated with the control members 18, 48,

and the thyristors associated with the magnetic valves.

53, 56, 83, and the control means required for evaluating the proper voltage are combined to an electric unit which is expediently designed in the manner of a plug card (Steckkarte) 87 and interchangeably plugged onto the contact strip means 86. A rotating filling machine equipped with the filling units 23 operates in the following manner. From a conveyor belt associated with the filling machine, the bottles to be filled pass by means of a customary feeding turnstile onto a lifting cylinder 14 which is lowered by the withdrawing cam 15 to its lower end position. In this position, prior to the filling operation, the extension 17 of each cylinder 14 is located below the control member 18 pivoted into its effective position. With the filling unit 23, the liquid valve 29, 32 and the gas valve 38, 39 are closed and the probe 75 is moved in while the relief passage 69 is opened. The control rod 47 is under the effect of a spring 50 engaging the bushing 48 by means of the collar 51. In view of the compressed air now passed through conduit 12, the cylinder 14 carries out a short downward stroke and after leaving the cam 15 moves the mouth of the deposited bottle below the centering tulip 27 of the filling unit 23 and presses the centering tulip 27 against the seal 28. In the course of this lifting movement, the cylinder extension 17 moves into the region of the control member 18 the adjusted basic value of which is changed by the approach of the extension 17. The control impulse conveyed to the electronic unit 87 energizes the magnetic valve 65 which actuates the lifting device 59, 60. In this way, the relief passage 69 is closed, the gas valve 38, 39 is opened, and the liquid valve 29, 32 is relieved. Through the connection 25, the valve gap and the bores 34 and 76 gas now flows out of the filling container 10 into the bottle which will be pretensioned (FIG. 1).

If it is desired to pretension the bottle already in the feeding turnstile or only outside the same, the inpulse of the control memb'er 18 is to be initiated earlier or with delay. This may be brought about by a special configuration of the cam 21 which moves the control member 18 into the region of the extension 17 either when the bottle is pressed on or only a short time thereafter. If there is no bottle, an overstroke of the lifting cylinder 13 moves'the extension 17 beyond the control member 18. The control impulse initiated by the control member 18 will then not be maintained so that the briefly opened gas valve 38, 39 closes again.

Simultaneously with the magnetic valve 65, the control impulse of the control member 18 also energizes the magnetic valve 83 which frees the air supply to the lifting device 80, 81. The energization, however, is delayed and by means of a timer within the plug card 87 is so dimensioned that the delaying time includes the time for pretensioning the bottle and also a safety time. If the bottle in its pressed-on condition has been pretensioned and when the same pressure has been established in the bottle and the filling container 10, the spring 44 will still within the delaying time of the lifting device 80, 81 open the liquid valve 23, 32 the valve body 32, 33 of which lifts itself off the valve seat 29. In the course of this opening movement, the collarequipped end'45 of the valve seat 38 of the tensioning gas valve 38, 39 moves into the region of the control member 46. The impulse initiated by the control member 46 to the plug card 87 terminates the energization of the magnetic valve 83 of the lifting unit 80, 81 and again energizes the magnetic valve 83, the first mentioned energization of the magnetic valve 83 was initiated with delay by the control member 18. Also the new energization of the magnetic valve 83 may be delayed in conformity with the conditions of operation.

After ,the expiration of the delaying time during which the filling substance has started to enter the bottle and the return of the gas through passage 76, 34, 40, 25 to the filling container 10 has begun, the probe moves into the bottle to such an extent that a level abutment associated with the lifting unit 80, 81 becomes effective. This abutment expediently comprises an intermediate manner which is arranged on the collar 101 of the piston rod 80, engages the housing 81 of the lifting device 80, 81 and corresponds to the desired filling level. 7

If the liquid valve 29, 32 does not occupy its opening position, for instance, in view of a damage or not properly pretensioned bottle, no control impulse will pass the control member 46. After the delaying time has expired, the impulse initiated by the control member 18 extinguishes in the electronic unit 87 whereupon the de-energized magnetic valve 65 forces the lifting device 59, 60 to close the gas valve 38, 39.

Together with the impulse of the control member 46 to the magnetic valve 83 of the lifting unit 80, 81, also the magnetic valve 54 of the lifting device 52, 53 is energized by. way of an adjustable time element. The characteristic of the time element arranged in the plug card 87 is expediently so selected that the magnetic valve 54 will operate the lifting unit 52, 53 shortly before the liquid enters the bottle neck. Through the intervention of the control rod 47 and the collar 45 the exit opening 29 of the liquid valve 29, 32 is against the thrust of spring 44 decreased stepwise so that the residual liquid fed into the bottle will pass thereinto in throttled condition. It is a matter of course that also already at the beginning of the entering of the liquid into the bottle a throttling may be effected which is subsequently eliminated and is again started prior to the completion of the filling operation. As soon as the liq uid ascending in the bottle has reached the tip 88 of the probe in the bottle neck and has risen beyond the insulating member 89 up to the probe shank 75, the probe circuit closes. By a control means of the electronic unit 87 which evaluates the probe voltage, the magnetic valves 65 and 83 are de-energized. The return the lifting devices 59, 60 and 80, 81 to their starting position. In view of these movements, the valve body 39 which is moved downardly by the piston rod 59 onto the seat 41 closes the gas valve 38, 39 and in the course of the lifting movement also closes the liquid valves 29, 32 against the thrust of spring 44. During the further lifting movement continued by the housing 60 against the thrust of spring 62, the control pin 67 frees the passage outlet 69 so that a pressure relief of the bottle is effected. At the same time, the probe 75 is moved out of the bottle neck into its upper end position. During the remaining portion of the rotation of the filling machine, the cam 21 by engaging the lever 20 adjusts the control member 18 out of the range of the protrusion 17. When this contact opens, also the magnetic valve 54 becomes deenergized. The lifting device'52, 53 which is now ineffective permits the return of the control rod 47 to its starting position. Within the region of the nonillustrated feeding turnstile of the machine, the cam 15 finally forces the lifting member 14 to carry out a downward movement. The filled bottle withdrawn from the filling element 23 is subsequently taken over by the delivery turnstile and conveyed to a conveyor belt. During the remaining part of the rotation of the filler up to the time the liquid again begins to enter a bottle, the cam 21 again frees the lever 20 which latter under the influence of the spring 19 adjusts the control member 18 so as to move into the path of the extension 17. The control member 18 will then again be in readiness for the filling of the now following bottle.

If with an only partially filled bottle or in view of an interruption of the supply of liquid or tensioning gas, the probe circuit is not closed and if consequently the probe 75 does not release an impulse, the magnetic valves 65 and 83 are de-energized in view of the opening of the contacts of the control member 18 with the extension 17. Consequently, the tensioning gas and the liquid valves 38, 39 and 29, 32 are closed and the probe 75 is withdrawn from the bottle neck.

The filling element 24 differs only slightly from the design and operation of the filling element 23. The filling element 24 is so designed that the return gas is not returned into the container but into the atmosphere or is discharged into an additional container in which a pressure prevails which is different from that of the filling container. For this method, which operates in conformity with the principle of a pressure differential filling, there is provided a separate path for the return gas and the tensioning gas. To this end, the valve body 39 of the gas valve 38, 39 is provided with a sleeve 90 which extends within the bore 34 of the liquid valve 29, 32 to the lower end thereof and surrounds the probe 75 so that an annular gap 91 is formed. Furthermore, within the region of the tensioning gas supply 25, the

guiding means 55 for the housing is closedby seals 99 in upward direction. In this way the bore 34 serves as pasage for the tensioning gas which leaves the container 10 through the gas valve 38, 39, and the annular gap 91 between the sleeve and probe 75 serves as passage for the return gas displaced by the liquid which has entered the bottle. This return gas passes through an opening 92 in the guiding means 55 and into a housing chamber 93 and escapes through an adjustable throttle member 94 or another controllable valve into the atmosphere or into the additional container. In view of the fact that this return gas path 91, 92, 93, 94 is continuously maintained in open condition, the fill ing unit 24 does not require a pressure relief so that the device provided for this purpose with the filling element 23 may be omitted and the cylinder 60 of the lifting member 59, 60 is directly pivotally mounted on the bracket 61.

The filling unit 23 -is already by effecting slight changes in existing or additional devices suitable for meeting other problems. Thus, with the filling unit 23 of FIG. 5, a magnetically controlled valve 95 closes the relief passage 69. its magnet is by means of the conductor h connected to the plug card 87 and is excited by the probe 75. In the surrounding housing 96 of the relief device into which the pasage 69 leads and then widens, a further magnetically controlled valve 97 may be arranged with a conductor j leading to said plug card 87. The valve 97 closes a passage 98 which leads into the passage 69 and to a non-illustrated vacuum producer. When the valve 97 is open, the said vacuum producer is through the passage 98 in communication with the passage 69 so that the pressed-on bottle will be evacuated before liquid passes thereinto and after the completion of the filling operation and after the valve 97 is closed, is relieved through passage 69 and the opened valve 95 into the atmosphere. The opening of the evacuating valve 97 is effected by the control member 18, the impulse of which, released when the bottle is pressed on, will energize the valve magnet 97 through the intervention of the plug card 87. After a time period sufficient for the evacuation of the bottle and determined by a timer, the magnet is tie-energized and the valve 97 closes. The now starting filling operation which is initiated by the impulse conveyed by the timer will now be effected in the manner described above in connection with the filling unit 23. The subsequent relief or unloading is brought about by the impulse initiated by the probe 75 which impulse through a timer of the plug card 87 energizes the magnet of valve 95 with delay so that the said valve 95 opens, then closes and subsequently opens again. Thereupon, the valve magnet 95, as described above, will be de-energized in view of a contact break between the control member 18 and the extension 17 so that valve 95 will under the influence of the spring pertaining thereto be closed for good.

Also the filling unit 23 according to FIGS. 6 and 7 is equipped with the same evacuating and relieving valve 95, 97.

In addition thereto, this filling unit 23 is provided with a device for postfilling inert gas, such as carbon dioxide, into the neck of the pressed-on bottle. This device is likewise mounted in the housing 96 and consists primarily of a passage 103 which leads into the widened passage 69, and a valve 104 for closing said passage 103. The valve 104 is adapted to be controlled by means of a magnet connected to the plug card 87 by the conductor k. The said device also comprises a gas conveying line 105 which leads into the valve chamber 104 and communicates with a source of gas. As shown in H6. 7, for the post-filling device, the valve body 39 of the tensioning gas valve 38, 39 is provided with an exit passage 106. This passage 106 leads into the return gas path 34 and has its opposite end closed by an overflow valve with a valve seat 107 and a valve body 108 which is under the influence of the force of a spring 109. The spring 109 rests against a spring bearing 110 having an exit 111 which leads into the housing 23.

Corresponding to the filling unit of FIG. 5, also with the filling unit 23 according to FIGS. 6 and 7 with magnetically controlled evacuating, gas post-filling and relieving valves, the control member 18 will after a bottle has been pressed-on, initiate the evacuating process so that, through the intervention of the plug card 87, the magnet of the evacuating valve 97 is energized and the valve is opened. After the filling operation, which starts and takes its course in the above described manner, the probe impulse initiated by the filling liquid energizes the magnet of the post-filling valve 104 through the timer of the plug card 87. Valve 104 will then be opened for a short period. When the valves 95 and 97 are closed, the gas source connected to line 105 produces a pressure gas shock which passes through passage 103 and passage 96 into the pressed-on bottle. The pressure gas shock for enriching the empty space in the bottle neck with inert gas may, as to its force, be so selected that the tensioning gas above the liquid level in the bottle neck will be displaced through gas return path 34, passage 106, valve 107, 108 and exit 111 into the tensioning gas chamber of the filling unit 23 and the filling container 10. The force and time period of the gas shockmay, however, also be so dimensioned that via the same path, an increased supply of inert gas to the container 10 will be effected in order to maintain here a constant gas concentration. After the gas valve 104 is closed, the magnet which has been de-energized will initiate the relief of the pressed-on bottle by opening the valve 95 the magnet of which is now energized. After the control interval: opening, closing, opening, for purposes of a stepped relief, the valve magnet 95 will be de-energized by breaking the contact between switch 18 and extension 17 when the lifting member 13 is lowered. In view of the spring effect, valve 97 closes finally so that the device is ready for the evacuation of the next following bottle.

If desired, the filling unit 23 may be provided with a supply line 105 and a pssage 103. This device which is not illustrated in the drawings, will in structure be very similar to the device of FIG. 5 the gas passage 98 of which would then be connected to the inert gas source instead of to the vacuum producer.

ll is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is, by no means, limited to the showing in the drawings but also comprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. A filling head for apparatus for filling articles with beverage and comprising a frame having a portion for engaging the top of an article and having a vertically positioned tubular section therein, a valve seat means in said tubular section, a tubular valve means having a bore slidably positioned in said tubular section for flow j relief valve 95 and a gas post-filling valve 104 with a gas of beverage through said valve seat means when said valve means is moved to an open position, means for supplying beverage to said tubular valve means and said valve seat means, means engaging said valve means to control the position thereof, a probe slidably positioned in the bore of said valve means and having a portion extending downwardly from said valve means into an article to contact beverage therein when at a predetermined level, electric circuit control means for said valve means engaging means connected to said probe to be actuated when beverage contacts the downwardly extending portion, and control means operatively mounted on said frame to raise and lower said probe independently of movement of said valve means.

2. A filling head according to claim 1 for individual and multiple-chamber counter-pressure filling machines receiving individual containers to hold material from a fluid supply and gas pressure source, further comprising: a filling material valve means having a passage therein alignable with a respective container, said probe being an electrical control probe mounted within a passageway formed in said valve means and capable of introduction into a container during filling unit operation for automatically regulating gas pressure source, fluid supply and relief in the passage of said valve means and controlled by the filling material in affecting fillingmachine operation, and said control means including means for introducing said probe to advance into the container engaged with the filling unit of the machine at the start of filling operation and means for retracting said probe from the filled container before removal from the filling unit of the machine at the termination of the filling operation.

3. A filling head according to claim 2 in which valve operating apparatus with said probe controls the opening and closing of said valve means, and a switch remote from said probe determines electrical energization operatively therewith.

4. A filling head according to claim 3 in which said switch is a proximity control member operative electrically upon container engagement to control closure procedure of relief valve means and to regulate opening procedure of gas pressure and fluid valve means.

5. A filling head according to claim 2 in which an electric proximity switch influenced selectively by gas pressure or fluid valve means triggers release from introducing said probe into the container.

6. A filling head according to claim 5, in which a pneumatic stroke device and magnetic control valve for said device are provided in operative association with said probe, said magnetic control valve with said stroke device being actuated in response to triggering movement of said switch electrically energized upon opening movement of said fluid valve means. 7. A filling head according to claim 6, in which a fluid valve body and a shaft portion are included with said valve means and extend in the range of said electric switch, said shaft portion forming a seat for said gas pressure valve means.

8. A filling head according to claim 7, in which said probe is carried concentrically in a bore through the gas pressure and fluid valve means and is guided longitudinally moveable therein, the bore within the fluid valve shaft portion collectively forming loading and return gas path in range ofgas space of filled container, and a seal means against atmosphere surrounding preferably a free body end of gas pressure valve means.

9. A filling head according to claim 8, which includes a return gas chamber communicating into an exhaust and a sleeve forming the return gas path, said sleeve being inserted inside the passage means of said valve body of the loading gas valve means and communicating with further passage means in said fluid valve shaft portion, said probe being in a bore within said sleeve from the upwardly open passage means to bottom of said valve body whereby a housing chamber is formed by way of a throttle member, controllable valve means and the like communicating selectively with atmosphere and container connection having pressure differential or relative to a filler container 10. A filling head according to claim 6, in which an intermediate member provides adjustable engagement with respect to the stroke and introducing movements of said stroke device and said probe for setting desired filling height in the engaged container.

11. A filling head according to claim 5, in which means for actuating said proximity switch are provided for selectively making said probe effective and ineffective at least during introducing and retracting respectively with respect to the engaged fill container, and adjustable switch means provided to adapt sensitivity of said probe to conductivity of the particular fill material.

12. A filling head according to claim 3, in which a pneumatic stroke device actuates said valve means at least in part, and a magnetic control valve affected by container engagement when container lift occurs is provided to effect energization of said electric switch.

13. A filling head according to claim 12, in which said electric switch comprises a proximity switch affecting said magnetic control valve of said stroke device of said valve body for the loading gas valve of said valve means and a stroke cylinder influenced by said proximity switch is provided to effect lifting of the container into engaging relationship with the filling unit, there being a stroke member extension of said stroke cylinder having affect upon said electric switch, said extension being directly across from said electric switch upon engagement of the container with respect to the filling unit, and means'additionally having an overstroke of said stroke cylinder shifting said extension out of the range of said switch when a container is lacking.

14. A filling head according to claim 12, in which a lever supports said electric switch, a cam path forming means affecting pivotal movement of said lever, a

stroke member in a range of said electric switch, a spring urging said lever with respect to said stroke member and to said electric switch, an extension of said stroke device and said cam path forming means to effect cut-off relief positioning of said electric. switch out of contacting range with respect to said extension for container filling engagement with the filler unit and prior to evacuation and loading having effect to return to start position.

15. A filling head according to claim 3, in which a stepped throttling means including a magnetic control valve is effective upon a liquid valve means with respect to liquid feed, and a stroke device controlled by said magnetic control valve, said switch being a proximity switch effective whereby said magnetic control valve is actuated in response to opening of said liquid loading gas valve means.

16. A filling head according to claim 2, in which an exhaust valve means is provided on an exit side branching by a passage into an under pressure generating canal and an inert gas source canal communicating with each other whereby both canals are separated from said exhaust passage, and a magnetic control valve including a valve portion closing said under pressure generating canal by way of a switch effective upon container engagement and including a further val've portion closing said inert gas source canal in response to actuation by said probe.

UNITED S'IA'IES PATENT 0mm CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION patent ,7 Dated March 26, 1974 Gerhard Uth et a1. Inventor(s) I It is certified that error appears in the above-idehtified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet Assignee should read SeitzWerke' G.m.b.H., Bad Kreuznach, Germany Signed and sealed this 29th day oi October 197 (SEAL) Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. (3. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 us GOVERNMENY PRINTING orncz: 93 0 FORM PO-IOSO (10-69) 

1. A filling head for apparatus for filling articles with beverage and comprising a frame having a portion for engaging the top of an article and having a vertically positioned tubular section therein, a valve seat means in said tubular section, a tubular valve means having a bore slidably positioned in said tubular section for flow of beverage through said valve seat means when said valve means is moved to an open position, means for supplying beverage to said tubular valve means and said valve seat means, means engaging said valve means to control the position thereof, a probe slidably positioned in the bore of said valve means and having a portion extending downwardly from said valve means into an article to contact beverage therein when at a predetermined level, electric circuit control means for said valve means engaging means connected to said probe to be actuated when beverage contacts the downwardly extending portion, and control means operatively mounted on said frame to raise and lower said probe independently of movement of said valve means.
 2. A filling head according to claim 1 for individual and multiple-chamber counter-pressure filling machines receiving individual containers to hold material from a fluid supply and gas pressure source, further comprising: a filling material valve means having a passage therein alignable with a respective container, said probe being an electrical control probe mounted within a passageway formed in said valve means and capable of introduction into a container during filling unit operation for automatically regulating gas pressure source, fluid supply and relief in the passage of said valve means and controlled by the filling material in affecting filling machine operation, and said control means including means for introducing said probe to advance into the container engaged with the filling unit of the machine at the start of filling operation and means for retracting said probe from the filled container before removal from the filling unit of the machine at the termination of the filling operation.
 3. A filling head according to claim 2 in which valve operating apparatus with said probe controls the opening and closing of said valve means, and a switch remote from said probe determines electrical energization operatively therewith.
 4. A filling head according to claim 3 in which said switch is a proximity control member operative electrically upon container engagement to control closure procedure of relief valve means and to regulate opening procedure of gas pressure and fluid valve means.
 5. A filling head according to claim 2 in which an electric proximity switch influenced selectively by gas pressure or fluid valve means triggers release from introducing said probe into the container.
 6. A filling head according to claim 5, in which a pneumatic stroke device and magnetic control valve fOr said device are provided in operative association with said probe, said magnetic control valve with said stroke device being actuated in response to triggering movement of said switch electrically energized upon opening movement of said fluid valve means.
 7. A filling head according to claim 6, in which a fluid valve body and a shaft portion are included with said valve means and extend in the range of said electric switch, said shaft portion forming a seat for said gas pressure valve means.
 8. A filling head according to claim 7, in which said probe is carried concentrically in a bore through the gas pressure and fluid valve means and is guided longitudinally moveable therein, the bore within the fluid valve shaft portion collectively forming loading and return gas path in range of gas space of filled container, and a seal means against atmosphere surrounding preferably a free body end of gas pressure valve means.
 9. A filling head according to claim 8, which includes a return gas chamber communicating into an exhaust and a sleeve forming the return gas path, said sleeve being inserted inside the passage means of said valve body of the loading gas valve means and communicating with further passage means in said fluid valve shaft portion, said probe being in a bore within said sleeve from the upwardly open passage means to bottom of said valve body whereby a housing chamber is formed by way of a throttle member, controllable valve means and the like communicating selectively with atmosphere and container connection having pressure differential or relative to a filler container.
 10. A filling head according to claim 6, in which an intermediate member provides adjustable engagement with respect to the stroke and introducing movements of said stroke device and said probe for setting desired filling height in the engaged container.
 11. A filling head according to claim 5, in which means for actuating said proximity switch are provided for selectively making said probe effective and ineffective at least during introducing and retracting respectively with respect to the engaged fill container, and adjustable switch means provided to adapt sensitivity of said probe to conductivity of the particular fill material.
 12. A filling head according to claim 3, in which a pneumatic stroke device actuates said valve means at least in part, and a magnetic control valve affected by container engagement when container lift occurs is provided to effect energization of said electric switch.
 13. A filling head according to claim 12, in which said electric switch comprises a proximity switch affecting said magnetic control valve of said stroke device of said valve body for the loading gas valve of said valve means and a stroke cylinder influenced by said proximity switch is provided to effect lifting of the container into engaging relationship with the filling unit, there being a stroke member extension of said stroke cylinder having affect upon said electric switch, said extension being directly across from said electric switch upon engagement of the container with respect to the filling unit, and means additionally having an overstroke of said stroke cylinder shifting said extension out of the range of said switch when a container is lacking.
 14. A filling head according to claim 12, in which a lever supports said electric switch, a cam path forming means affecting pivotal movement of said lever, a stroke member in a range of said electric switch, a spring urging said lever with respect to said stroke member and to said electric switch, an extension of said stroke device and said cam path forming means to effect cut-off relief positioning of said electric switch out of contacting range with respect to said extension for container filling engagement with the filler unit and prior to evacuation and loading having effect to return to start position.
 15. A filling head according to claim 3, in which a stepped throttling means including a magnetic control valve is effective upoN a liquid valve means with respect to liquid feed, and a stroke device controlled by said magnetic control valve, said switch being a proximity switch effective whereby said magnetic control valve is actuated in response to opening of said liquid-loading gas valve means.
 16. A filling head according to claim 2, in which an exhaust valve means is provided on an exit side branching by a passage into an under pressure generating canal and an inert gas source canal communicating with each other whereby both canals are separated from said exhaust passage, and a magnetic control valve including a valve portion closing said under pressure generating canal by way of a switch effective upon container engagement and including a further valve portion closing said inert gas source canal in response to actuation by said probe. 